Oaxaca, Mexico Trip

Last week I returned from a five day trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. I went to visit Derek and Lily Paul who moved to Oaxaca 10 months ago with the vision of planting a multi-ethnic church in Oaxaco. The state of Oaxaca has 158 languages and the city of Oaxaca attracts a number of Europeans who retire here. It is a great place to establish a multi-ethnic church.

The trip was filled with great conversations, meeting wonderful people, and enjoying time with Derek & Lily. I was blessed with the opportunity to preach in the church that Derek & Lily have been attending while they settle in and prepare for the church plant. The pastor asked if I would come back and do a week-long conference on outreach for his church and possibly a network of 40 churches that he is a part of. We may look at doing this next year.

Lily is from Oaxaca. Derek is from the states (and happens to be Sandy's cousin). They have a burden to establish a church that not only is multi-ethnic but one that is also free of the legalism in the evangelical church in this part of Mexico. Both elements are needed in this city and Derek & Lily have the passion and gift mix to lead such a church. Usually when church planters go to a new city to establish a work, the first 9 to 12 months is invested in simply settling in and building relationships. This is exactly what Derek & Lily have been doing. Derek is working toward establishing dual citizenship and God provided a fast track to getting his work permit several months ago that has enabled him to teach English in the best English school in the city. This is a great way to build relationships. You can learn more about Derek and Lily at their website: http://www.derekylily.com/.

Into the Mountains of Pakistan

I've recently made a new discovery in my reading adventures. I love to read so this is something I enjoy doing on my day off. However, when I read theology, ministry, or leadership books (my standard fare), my mind does not rest but goes immediately to the church, which means I'm not taking a rest. The problem is that I love what I do. I love ministry and church planting. So it's easy to not take a day off mentally. When I read these kind of books my mind goes into overdrive to make applications to my context, All Nations Fellowship. So, I've purposed to not read these sorts of books on my day off.

In my pursuit of rest and enjoying my days off, I've begun to pick up biographies. This winter I read a biography that would rank in my top five all time favorite books. I was captivated by the true story of Greg Mortenson called Three Cups of Tea. On the heels of failure (getting within a few hundred yards of the summit of K2 but aborting the climb to rescue a fellow climber), Greg found his life purpose: building schools in Muslim villages in the isolated mountains of Pakistan and then Afghanistan. His story made for some great illustrations for preaching. I know at least one Sunday, I went a little to far and shared a story, not because it fit the sermon, but just because it was a great story.

I loved the book for a variety of reasons. For one, Greg is a modern hero making a difference in our world. But he has his flaws and quirks and is humble enough to share them in his book. A second reason I loved the book was that it gave me a new depth of understanding and insight into a part of the world that is very isolated from most of the world, a part of the world I wanted to know more about. I encourage people to read it just to deepen their understanding of Pakistan, Afganistan, and Islam that has played a very significant role in the last eight years of the world.

I am also saddened by the book. There is a moment in his story when his work is stopped until it can be ruled on by a Muslim High Council in Iran to determine if this non-Muslim could be allowed to build schools for girls in in these villages. An investigation into Greg's life is made. Because he lives a moral life, and because he does not promote Christian teachings he is allowed. At this my heart sank. Its ok to help as long as Jesus is not part of it. But Jesus told his followers: "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name [emphasis mine] welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me" (Mark 9:37). These schools embrace and serve children, but not in the name of Jesus. My heart is sad because the great work that Greg is doing just goes half way. Jesus went on to say that we are to offer a cup of water to people in his name. Greg's story is powerful because his life radically challenges us to serve. Jesus radically challenges us to serve too: "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all" (Mark 9:35). But Jesus tells us to serve in HIS name so that our temporal help can also bring eternal help to people's lives.

DC Trip

Our family took advantage of our travels to Virginia Beach for my graduation ceremony. We flew into DC and did some sightseeing. We then journeyed down to Virginia Beach stopping at Jamestown (great timing with it being the 400th anniversary and we got to see the Queen on her carraige ride through Williamsburg). After graduation we returned to DC and spent time with friends (the Whitlow's) and relatives (the Kuhlmans), and saw more of our nation's capital. There is so much to see and learn in life.

Easter Prep Update

We had a great night Wednesday evening hanging door hangers. We got about 2/3rds done. We are scheduling another distribution time for Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. Meet at the school. If you were not able to come Wednesday, here's your opportunity. We will also stuff easter eggs on Wednesday of this week, April 4th at the Family Fellowship. Thanks to everyone for getting involved. We are praying that through this event multiple families will become part of All Nations. Don't forget to use the opportunity to invite people to church for Easter.

God at work in Africa

We had an incredible weekend with Pastor Gregory Bangura from the Ivory Coast. You can read more about Pastor Gregory's ministry at his website: www.rabboni-mi.org. We've been doing a series on "Places of Power" and I asked Pastor Gregory to share stories of how he has seen God's power in Africa. It was an awesome morning of worship, preaching, and prayer for people. We are hungry to experience more of God's transforming power in people's lives right here in Tulsa. I sense that God is really stirring us at All Nations.

One indicator of what God has been doing this past year is reflected in our numerical growth. Even though during March we had spring break which affects 2 of the 4 weekends, we still hit our highest monthly average attendance ever at 115. Last year during March we averaged 59. This is almost double. God is growing His church.

Easter Festivities

Just want to let you all know what's coming for Easter and how you can help.

Here's the schedule:

Good Friday, April 6th:

• 7:30 p.m. Night of Worship. This will be our first ever Good Friday Service. The night will be a combined service with the Vineta Vineyard church. Our worship team and their worship team will lead us in a night of worship. If you can come help us set up at 6 p.m. That would be awesome.

Easter Morning, April 8th:

• 9:15 a.m. Free Family Photos


• 10:00 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt


• 10:30 a.m. Easter Celebration

How you can help:

1. Help us stuff 5,000 Easter eggs or hang 3,500 door hangers on Wednesday evening, March 28th. We'll meet at the Barbers for pizza and then launch into preparations.


2. Donate candy for the eggs. We will need them by this Sunday, March 25th.


3. Sign up to help Easter morning!

I'm Done!

I just had to share my excitement. This morning I received news that I have successfully satisfied the requirements for the Doctorate of Strategic Leadership that I've been working on at Regent University for four years. His last words were "Congratulations on a job well done, Dr. Thompson." Since receiving word this morning, I think I've had a sustained increase in heart rate!